Cart.



No. 782,295. PATENTED FEB. 14, 1905; E. G. WEBER.

CART.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wineaoea; I @7150 Maw/a PATENTED FEB. 14, 1905.

E. G. WEBER.

CART.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHBBT 2.

Patented February 14, 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT EEIcE.

EMMEI (I. \VEBER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CART.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 782,295, dated February 14, 1905.

Application filed November 24,1903. Serial No. 182,562.

To (1/77 whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMMET OIVEBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to childrens carts of the kind commonly known as go-carts, and has for its object to provide a new and improved cart of that type which may readily be folded into compact form, so that it may readily be carried, and which, nevertheless. will be so constructed as to be strong and firm when unfolded. I accomplish this object as illustrated in the drawings and as hereinafter described.

\Yhat I regard as new is set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, the wheels at one side being removed. showing the first step in the operation of folding the cart. Figs. I, 5, and 6 are similar views showing successively the different stages of the folding operation. Fig. 7 is a detail illustrating the devices for holding the handles in operative position, and Fig. 8 is a partial front view illustrating the pivotal connection between the front frame and the seatframe.

Referring to the drawings, 7 indicates the seat-frame, which is rectangular in form and has a seat of cane or other suitable material. b indicates the back, which is also rectangular in form and is pivotally connected to the seat-frame 7, near the rear edge thereof, by means of brackets 9. (Shown in Fig. 1.) The back is pivotally connected by screws 10 or other suitable means to upwardly-extending lips 11 of the brackets 9, so that the lower portion of the back 8 is held a short distance above thcseat-frame T.

12 indicates the handles of the cart, which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, are connected to the upper part of the back 8 by hinges 13, so as to fold downward and overlie the rear surface of the back 8. \Vhen in operative position, the handles are held in alinement with the upper end of the back by means of swinging straps l-l. pivoted to a cross-bar 15, which connects the lower ends of the handles 12, and adapted to engage screws l6, carried by the back, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. Obviously the straps 1% may be pivoted to the back and be arranged to engage pins carried by the handles.

17 indicates braces by which the back is held in operative position. Said braces, as shown in Fig. I, are curved and are pivotally connected at their lower ends to arms 18, carried by brackets 19, rigidly secured to the sides of a frame 20, which for convenience will be termed the front frame, since when the cart is unfolded it extendsdownward from the front portion of the seat-frame T to the front wheels 2i, which are mounted on an axle .22, secured to the lower portion of said front frame 20. The braces 17 serve also as arms for the cart and near their rear or free ends are provided with a plurality of notches 23, adapted to receive bolts 2%, projecting from the sides of the back 8, as shown in Fig. I, to hold the back in different positions of adjustment, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. Thumb-screws 25 are provided on the bolts 2% for securing the braces 17 in place.

As best shown in Fig. 8, the front frame 20 and seat-frame T are pivotally connected by means of pivots 26 27, secured to the forward portion of the scat-frame T and projecting laterally beyoinl the sides thereof, said pivots being fitted in suitable bearings provided in the brackets 19, as shown in Figs. .1 and 8. 28 indicates the pivots by which the braces 17 are connected to the arms 18 of the brackets 19, and said pivots 28 are so supported in the arms 18 that when the cart is folded said pivots are carried .up beyond the upper surface of the seat-frame 7. By pivoting the front frame 20 and seat-frame 7 together, as described, said front frame is adapted to fold under the seat-frame, assuming a position parallel therewith, as shown in Figs. I and 5.

In order to hold the wheels in operative po sition, I provide a folding wheel-brace composed of front and rear frames 22) 31), respectively, connected by hinges 31. The front brace-frame 29 is connected to the front frame 20 by pivots 32. (Shown in Fig. 2.) The rear brace-frame 30 is pivotally connected to the rear axle 33, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the front frame 20 is in operative position, the brace-frames 29 30 are in alinement with each other and are consequently locked in such position. By slightly raising one or the other of said arms, however, so as to move them out of alinement, the front frame 20 may be folded back, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The front and rear wheels are thus securely braced and held apart while in operative position.

3 1 indicates springs by which the rear portion of the seat-frame 7 is supported from the rear axle 33. (Shown in Figs. 1 and 2.) The upper ends of said springs are connected to downwardly-projecting arms 35, carried by the brackets 9, and bear near their ends against the seat-frame at the rear thereof. The rear portion of the seat-frame 7 is connected with the lower portion of the front frame 20 by a seat brace composed of upper and lower frames 36 37, respectively, which are connected to each other by a rod 38, which extends across from one side of said brace to the other, as best shown in Fig. 2, said rod lying over the forward brace-frame 29 of the wheelbrace. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper ends of the brace-frame 37 project beyond the lower ends of the brace-frame 36, and the projecting ends of said brace-frame 37 are provided with lugs 39, which extend over the end portions of the brace-frame36. The purpose of the lugs 39 is to limit the downward movement of the brace-frames 36 37 and hold them in alinement with each other when in operative position, as shown in Fig. 1. By pressing upward on either of the brace-frames 36 37 they may be moved out of alinement, unlocking the front frame 20, so far as this brace is concerned. It will thus be seen that I have provided a double brace for the front frame 20 and seat-frame 7, both of which must be unlocked before said parts can be folded together. The brace-frames 36 37 are unlocked automatically by unlocking the brace-frames 29 30, since when the braceframes 29 30 are moved out of alinement, as shown in Fig. 3, the frame 29 strikes the rod 38, raising said rod and moving the braceframes 36 37 out of alinement, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the front frame 20 is released and may be folded back.

40 indicates a leg-rest which is adapted to overlie the front frame 20, as shown in Fig. 1, and to be swung outward to a reclining position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. Said leg-rest is pivoted at its upper end by pivots 4.110 the brackets 19 and when in its outward position is supported by a brace 42, composed of inner and outer straps 43 4P1, hinged together, as shown in Fig. 1. The lower strap 43 is pivoted to the front frame 20, and the upper strap 4A is pivoted to the lower portion of the leg-rest, as shown in Fig. 1, the arrangement being such that said straps are in alinement with each other when the legrest is in reclining position.

45 indicates a latch for securing the lower portion of the leg-rest to the front frame 20, said latch consisting, preferably, of a piece of wire pivoted in one of the side pieces of the front frame 20 and adapted to be turned to project over one of the edges of the leg-rest, as shown in Fig. 2.

46 indicates a foot-rest carried at the lower end of the leg-rest, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

47 indicates the rear wheels, and 48 a bandle which is secured to and projects from the rear edge of the seat-frame 7, as shown in Fig. 1, the handle 48 being used for carrying ,the cart when folded.

The cart in unfolded or operative condition is shown in Fig. l and, as indicated by dotted lines, may be used either in an upright or reclining position. At such times the seat-frame 7 and front frame 20 are firmly braced by the brace-frames 36 37, while the front and rear wheels are braced by the brace-frames 29 30. hen it is desired to fold the cart, the wheelbrace is unlocked, thereby unlocking the seatbrace, as shown in Fig. 3. This permits the front frame 20, with the front wheels, to be folded back under the seat-frame 7 into a position parallel therewith, as shown in Fig. 5. The rear wheels are then brought forward and folded under the front frame 20, as shown in Fig. 5. The next step is to release the braces or arms 17 from the back 8, the latter being then swung forward and downward over the seat-frame '7, as shown in Fig. 6, the handles 12 being at the same time turned backward and downward upon the rear surface of the back 8. The braces 17 are then swung down into the position shown in Fig. 6. As illustrated in Fig. 6, a very compact folding of the cart is thus secured, the parts occupying comparatively small space. hen the parts are folded,the handle 48 projects conveniently, as shown in Fig. 6, so that it may readily be grasped for carrying the cart. The operation of unfolding the cart is the reverse of the folding operation.

Having thus described in detail the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, I Wish it to be understood that my invention is not restricted to such details of construction, except in so far as they are particularly claimed, but includes generically the features set forth in the broader claims.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is?

1. A cart, comprising a seat, a front frame connected to saidseat, front and rear wheels, a folding brace between said front frame and the rear wheels, and afoldingspring supporting said seat, substantially as described.

2. A cart, comprisingaseat-frame, a front frame hingedly connected to the seat-frame, front and rear wheels, said front wheels directly connected to the front frame, devices connecting the rear wheels to the seat-frame and adapted to fold in the direction of the length of the cart, said front frame and longitudinally-folding devices adapted when folded to suspend said front and rear wheels respectively, and bracing means between the front frame and the rear wheels.

3. A cart, comprising a seat-frame, front and rear wheels, folding devices connecting said seat-frame with the front wheels, afolding spring connected at one end to said seatframe and at the other with the rear wheels, and folding bracing means between the folding devices connecting the seat-frame with the front wheels and rear wheels, substantially as described.

it. A cart comprising a seat-frame, a front frame hingedly connected thereto and foldable thereupon, said front frame adapted, when unfolded, to extend at an angle to the seat-frame, front wheels spaced farther apart than the width of the seat-frame and connected with the lower end portion of the front frame, rear wheels, longitudinally-swinging means connecting the rear wheels to the rear portion of the seatframe to permit of folding the rear wheels up beside the seat-frame, and devices for holding said wheels in operative position, substantially as described.

5. A cart, comprising a seat-frame and a front frame hinged together and adapted to be folded upon one another,said front frame when extended projecting at an angle to the seatframe, front wheels connected with said front frame, rear wheels, and swinging springs connected at one end to said seat-frame and at the other with the rear wheels, substantially as described.

6. A cart, comprising a seat-frame and a front frame hinged together and adapted to be folded upon one another, front wheels directly connected with said front frame, rear wheels, longitudinally swinging means connecting said seat-frame with the rear wheels, said front frame and longitudinally swinging means adapted when folded to suspend said frontand rear wheels respectively, and a brace between said front and rear wheels, substantially as described.

7. A cart, comprising a seat-frame and a front frame hinged together and adapted to be folded upon one another, front wheels directly connected with said front frame, rear wheels, longitudinally-swinging means connecting said seat-frame with the rear wheels, and a brace between said seat andfront frames, substantially as described.

8. A cart, comprising a seat-frame and a front frame hinged together and adapted to be folded upon one another, front wheels connected with said front frame, rear wheels, longitudinally-swinging means connecting said seat-frame with the rear wheels, abrace between said scat and front frames, and a folding brace between said front and rear wheels, substantially as described.

9. A cart, comprising a scat-frame and a front frame hinged together and adapted to be folded upon one another, front wheels connected with said front frame, rear wheels, swinging means connecting said seat-frame with the rear wheels, a brace between said seat and front frames, a brace between said front and rear wheels, and means operated by the unlocking of one of said braces for unlocking the other, substantially as described.

10. A cart, comprising a seat-frame and a front frame hinged together and adapted to be folded upon one another, front wheels connected with said front frame, rear wheels, swinging means connecting said scat-frame with said rear wheels, a seat-brace for braeingsaid front and seat frames, said brace being composed of members pivotally connected together, and a wheel brace between said front and rear wheels, said wheel-brace being adapted when unlocked to engage said seat-brace to unlock the same, substantially as described.

11. A cart, comprising a seat-frame, afront frame,brackets pivotall y connecting said front and seat frames, whereby they are adapted to fold over upon one another, wheelsconnccted with said frames respectively, and an adjustable leg-rest pivotally connected to said brackets, substantially as described.

12. A cart, comprisinga seat-frame, wheels supporting said frame, a back and a leg-rest pivotally connected, respectively, with the rear and front portions of said seat-frame and adapted to fold over thereupon, means pivotally connected with said seat-frame and adapted to be connected with said back for adjustably maintaining the back in a desired position, and a foldable brace between the leg-rest and the front frame, said foldable braccadapted when opened to maintain the leg-rest in a raised position, substantially as described.

13. A cart, comprising a seat-frame, a front frame, wheels supporting said seat-frame and adapted to fold over thereupon, a back pivotall y connected with said seat-frame, and braces pivotally connected with said front frame and adapted to be connected with said back, substantially as described.

1 1. A cart comprising a seat-frame, a front frame, front and rear wheels supporting said seat-frame and adapted to fold over there u pon,a back hingedly connected with said scatframe, braces connected with said front frame and adapted to be connected with said back, and a foldable bracing means for said front and rear wheels.

15. A cart comprising a seat-frame, a front frame, front and rear wheels supporting said seat-frame and adapted to fold over thereupon, a back hingedly connected with said seat-frame, braces connected with said front frame and adapted to be connected with said back, and a foldable bracing means connected to the front frame and to the axle of the rear wheels.

16. A cart comprising a seat-frame, a front frame, front and rear wheels supporting said seat-frame and adapted to fold over thereupon, a back hingedly connected with said seat-frame, braces connected with said front frame and adapted to be connected with said back, and a pair of frames hinged together and connected to the front frame and to the axle of the rear wheels, said pair of frames forming a bracing means for the wheels.

17. A cart comprising a seat-frame, a front frame, front and rear wheels supporting said seat-frame and adapted to fold over thereupon, a back pivotally connected with said seat-frame, braces pivotally connected with the front frame and adapted to be connected with said back, and a foldable bracing means for said front and rear wheels.

18. A cart comprising a seat-frame, a front frame, front and rear wheels supporting said seat-frame and adapted to fold over thereupon, a back pivotally connected with said seat-frame, braces pivotally connected with the front frame and adapted to be connected with said back, and a folding brace between said front and rear wheels.

19. A cart comprising a seat-frame, a front frame, front and rear wheels supporting said seat-frame and adapted to fold over thereupon, a back pivotally connected with said seat-frame, braces pivotally connected with the front frame and adapted to be connected with said back, and a folding bracing means connected to the front frame and to the axle of the rear wheels.

20. A cart comprisinga seat-frame, a front frame, front and rear wheels supporting said seat-frame and adapted to fold over thereupon, a back pivotally connected with said seat-frame, braces pivotally connected with the front frame and adapted to be connected with said back, and bracing members hingedl y connected together at one end and at their other ends pivotally connected to the front frame and rear axle.

21. A cart comprising a seat-frame, a front frame, front and rear wheels supporting said seat-frame and adapted to fold over thercupon, a back pivotally connected with said seatframe, braces pivotally connected with the front frame and adapted to be connected with said back, and a pair of frames hinged together and connectedto the front frame and to the axle of the rear wheels, said pair of frames forming a bracing means for the wheels.

22. A cart comprising a seat-frame and a front frame hinged together and adapted to be folded upon one another, front wheels connected with said front frame, rear wheels, swinging supporting-springs for said seatconnected thereto and to the axle of the rear wheels, a back pivotally connected to said seat-frame, braces pivotally connected to said front frame and adapted to be connected to said back, a folding seat-brace for bracing said front and seat frames, and a wheel-brace between said front and rear wheels, said wheel-brace adapted, when unlocked, to engage said seat-brace to unlock the same.

23. A cart comprising a seat-frame and a front frame hinged together and adapted to be folded upon one another, front wheels connected with said front frame, rear wheels, a folding spring connected at one end with the seat-frame and at the other with the rear wheels, a back hinged to the seat-frame, braces connected with the front frame and adapted to be connected with said back for retaining the latter in an adjusted position, and a Wheelbrace between said front and rear wheels.

24. A cart comprisinga seat-frame, a front frame, front wheels carried by the front frame, rear wheels connected with the seat-frame, said front and rear wheels adapted to fold over the seat-frame, a back connected with said seatframe, braces connected with said front frame and engaging with said back, afoldable bracing means between the front and seat frames, a foldable bracing means for the wheels, and means carried by the foldable bracing means between the seat and front frames adapted to be engaged by the folding bracing means between the wheels for causing the folding of the bracing means between the front and seat frames when the bracing means between the wheels is folded.

25. A cart comprising a seat-frame, a back, means for pivotally connecting the back to the seat-frame, a front frame, braces adapted to engage the back-frame, a leg-rest, and means connected to the braces, front frame and legrest for pivotally connecting them to the seatframe.

26. A cart comprising a seat-frame, a back, means for pivotally connecting the back to the seat-frame, a front frame, braces adapted to engage the back-frame, a leg-rest, and a bracket connected to the braces, front frame and legrest for pivotally connecting them to the seatframe.

27. A cart comprising a seat-frame and a front frame hinged together and adapted to be folded upon one another, front wheels connected with said front frame, rear wheels, swinging means connecting said seat-frame with the rear wheels, a pair of frames hinged together and connected to and forming a bracing means between the front and seat frames, a pair of frames hinged together and connected to the front frame and to the axle of the rear wheels forming thereby a bracing means for the wheels, said latter frames adapted when folded to engage and cause the folding of the other pair of frames.

28. A cart, comprising a seat-frame, a front frame and a back pivotally connected to the front and rear of said seat-frame respectively, front Wheels connected to the front frame, rear wheels, longitudinally-swinging' springs connecting said seat-frame to the rear wheels, a foldahle seat-brace between the front and seat frames, a foldable wheel-brace between the front frame and rear Wheels, said wheelbrace adapted when unlocked to engage and unlock the seat-brace, a brace between said front frame and back and adapted to maintain said back in various positions of adjustment, a leg-rest hingedly connected to the upper end of saidfront frame, and a fold-able brace between said front frame and leg-rest.

29. A cart, comprising a scat-frame, a front frame, a back. said front frame and back being hingedly connected with said seat-frame, front wheels permanently connected with the front frame, means hingedl connected to the seat-frame and foldable longitudinally thereof, rear wheels permanentlw connected to said foldable means, bracing means for the back, and foldable bracing means for said front and rear wheels.

EMMET U. WEBER.

\Vitnesses:

A. H. ADAMS, JOHN L. JAGKSOX'. 

